The Crazy Calc of Trump's Tariffs & How to Make Fake Receipts With AI

Could AI-generated fake receipts upend expense reporting as we know it? In this eye-opening episode, Blake and David demonstrate live how easy it's becoming to create convincing financial documents with AI—from receipts to audit opinions. They break down why Trump's new "reciprocal" tariffs aren't what they seem (complete with meaningless Greek symbols) and how they're already triggering market turbulence. You'll also learn why the federal government is ending paper checks by September, potentially saving hundreds of millions while reducing fraud by 16x. Plus, discover why Signal might be the most secure messaging option for your sensitive client communications. Whether you're concerned about fraud detection, economic impacts on your clients, or evolving professional standards, this episode delivers practical insights for navigating today's rapidly changing landscape. Sponsors Cloud Accountant Staffing - http://accountingpodcast.promo/cas Bluevine - http://accountingpodcast.promo/bluevine (Bluevine is a financial technology company, not a bank. Banking Services provided by Coastal Community Bank, Member FDIC.) Chapters (02:49) - Implications of AI-Generated Receipts (05:23) - Sponsor Acknowledgements and Livestream Interaction (06:15) - Deep Dive into Trump's Tariffs (09:27) - Economic Impact of Tariffs (22:57) - Creating Fake Receipts with AI (37:01) - Signal App and Secure Communication for Accountants (42:22) - Corporate Espionage and Fraud Cases (47:23) - Generating a Fake Audit Report with AI (52:19) - Discussing Douglas Edelman's Tax Evasion (56:33) - Deloitte Layoffs Due to Federal Crackdown (01:00:14) - Mandating Electronic Federal Tax Transactions (01:10:08) - IRS and ICE Coordination on Unauthorized Immigrants (01:13:34) - Alternative Pathways to Becoming a CPA (01:20:24) - Critique of Big Four Accounting Firms (01:28:01) - Upcoming Events and New Content on Earmark   Show Notes ChatGPT’s new image generator is really good at faking receipts https://techcrunch.com/2025/03/31/chatgpts-new-image-generator-is-really-good-at-faking-receipts/   Markets Swing Wildly After Trump Holds His Ground on Tariff Plan https://www.wsj.com/livecoverage/stock-market-trump-tariffs-trade-war-04-07-25   Trump’s Reciprocal Tariff Calculations Are Nonsense, Will Punish Mutually Beneficial Trade https://taxfoundation.org/blog/trump-reciprocal-tariffs-calculations/   Stellantis to temporarily lay off 900 US workers as tariffs bite https://www.reuters.com/business/autos-transportation/stellantis-says-will-temporarily-lay-off-900-us-workers-following-tariff-2025-04-03   Modernizing Payments To and From America’s Bank Account https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/03/modernizing-payments-to-and-from-americas-bank-account/   The Trump Administration Accidentally Texted Me Its War Plans https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2025/03/trump-administration-accidentally-texted-me-its-war-plans/682151/   @parkerconrad Tweet: Rippling sued @Deel today …  https://x.com/parkerconrad/status/1901615179718406276   Scoop: Fashion startup accuses founder of misconduct, after raising $534 million https://www.axios.com/2025/03/31/scoop-caastle-founder-hunsicker-misconduct ​ The $7 Billion Defense Contractor Who Became One of America’s Biggest Alleged Tax Cheats https://www.wsj.com/us-news/law/douglas-edelman-alleged-tax-fraud-who-ee65ea61   Deloitte is planning layoffs after a federal crackdown on consulting contracts https://finance.yahoo.com/news/deloitte-planning-layoffs-federal-crackdown-063253531.html   DOGE’s private contract crackdown has eliminated more than 120 Deloitte contracts—more than twice the amount of any other consultancy https://fortune.com/2025/04/03/doge-private-contract-crackdown-deloitte-consultancies/   Probationary IRS workers will be back to work before Tax Day: Trial Balance https://www.cfo.com/news/probationary-irs-workers-will-be-back-to-work-before-tax-day-trial-balance/744419/ IRS sharing info with ICE would put illegal immigrants between 'rock and a hard place': expert https://www.yahoo.com/news/irs-sharing-ice-put-illegal-130026839.html   Georgia, Indiana join growing band of states to pass CPA licensure laws https://www.cfodive.com/news/georgia-joins-growing-band-states-pass-cpa-licensure-laws-accounting-talent-shortage/744384/   I Quit my Big 4 Accounting Job to Fry Chicken and Will Never Go Back … https://www.businessinsider.com/quit-big-four-accounting-fry-chicken-never-go-back-2025-4   Local firm slashes staff starting salaries https://www.accountingtoday.com/opinion/local-firm-slashes-staff-starting-salaries Need CPE? Get CPE for listening to podcasts with Earmark: https://earmarkcpe.com Subscribe to the Earmark Podcast: https://podcast.earmarkcpe.com Get in Touch Thanks for listening and the great reviews! We appreciate you! Follow and tweet @BlakeTOliver and @DavidLeary. Find us on Facebook and Instagram. If you like what you hear, please do us a fa...